Opinion: The tired arms of ministers

The following article quotes Management Professor Matt Bloom about his research on the wellbeing of clergy and work. To read the entire article visit: Opinion: The tired arms of ministers

A friend recently shared a daily devotion that pointed out the story in Exodus 17 regarding Moses’ arms. Remember? As long as Moses held his staff with his arms aloft, the Israelites prevailed in their battle with the Amelekites. When he grew weary, Aaron and Hur found him a stone to sit on and each held his arms up throughout the day and the battle was won.

Most of us in ministry resonate with the obvious application that we need others to help us accomplish all that God has called us to do. Working in insolation from others is not only unhealthy, it seems foreign to the very nature of the church. Living and working in a collaborative community seems congruent with texts like 1 Corinthians 12 and all the examples of the early church at its best.

What about fatigue? Exhortations from Scripture to “not grow weary in well-doing” echo around our minds as we consider how tiring it must have been for Moses to try and hold his arms aloft for a full day. Again, it seems too obvious to point out, but ministry leadership in the 21st century is often marked by fatigue and weariness.

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